Um...I have a neck fracture....maybe....

[snapdragen]

So I know you won't have any new info yet but keep us posted OK. Have fun at your CT scan this AM.

Wahine - I got my x-rays. I'll need to see if I can either take pictures of them, or get the scanned. Here's what the report says:

Findings: Alignment and curvature are within normal limits. Vertebral body heights are maintained without definite compression deformity. Nonvisualization of the lamina at C1 with a "floating spinous process". Disc space narrowing is present at C5-6 and C6-7 with associated anterior osteophytes. There is mild neural foramina encroachment at these levels on the left. Prevertebral soft tissues are unremarkable.

Impression:
1. Mild to moderate degenerative changes of the lower cervical spine.

2. Absence of the C1 lamina. If there has been no history of trauma, this most likely represents a normal congenital variant of the C1 vertebra. Please correlate clinically and consider CT for further evaluation.

[Wahine]

Findings: Alignment and curvature are within normal limits.

Good

Vertebral body heights are maintained without definite compression deformity.

Also good.

Nonvisualization of the lamina at C1 with a "floating spinous process".

Ah ha!! This is likely congenital and is not an unusual abnormality. This abnormality in and of itself is not a big deal. But there is a higher probability of other abnormalities of the spine or spinal cord when this is present. Very interesting.

Disc space narrowing is present at C5-6 and C6-7 with associated anterior osteophytes. There is mild neural foramina encroachment at these levels on the left.

This is actually the most likely cause of your arm pain. But they'll worry about that later after they have confirmed that your head is not going to fall off.

[KnottedYet]

Dang, Snap, after I get my new insurance up and running, I could be playing the same game you are!

(another C1 problem child)

I'll be contacting you for info after I get the ball rolling. (don't want my head falling off, either!)

[snapdragen]

Saw my chiro today - got a lovely massage, she worked on my wrists a bit too.

She was so excited to see my x-rays and the report! "I've never seen a floating spinous process except in text books!" Then we looked at the x-rays together, she pointed out everything the report was talking about.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Sounds like pretty good news.

So does this mean that you *don't* have a broken neck?

[KnottedYet]

I think it means the part of the vertebra that would normally protect the spinal cord isn't there, and the spinous process is just a floating hunk of bone behind the spinal cord with nothing keeping it in place.

Not quite sure what the ligaments that would attach the skull to the C1 are attached to in this case.

Yup, don't be doing any bungee-jumping, Snap!

[snapdragen]

Pretty much right Knot. Mara thinks there might be some kind of tissue holding the spinous process in place, just not bone. Maybe the CT scan will show what.